House of Representatives Committees

Terms of reference

The Standing Committee on Economics, Finance and Public Administration
is empowered to inquire into and report on any matter referred to it by
either the House or a Minister including any pre-legislation proposal,
bill, motion, petition, vote or expenditure, other financial matter, report
or paper.

Annual reports of government departments and authorities tabled in the
House shall stand referred to the relevant committee for any inquiry the
committee may wish to make. Reports shall stand referred to committees
in accordance with a schedule tabled by the Speaker to record the areas
of responsibility of each committee.

In addition, in August 1996 the Treasurer and the Governor of the Reserve
Bank of Australia (RBA) agreed that the Governor appear before the Committee
twice each year to report on the conduct of monetary policy. This was
described by the Treasurer as a means of enhancing the RBA's transparency
and accountability. At each of those public hearings the RBA will table
its Semi-annual statement on monetary policy.

Submissions

Reserve Bank of Australia (Interest rate implementation lags)

Schedule of public hearings

The next hearing with the RBA is scheduled to be held on 29 November 1999
in Sydney.